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Orpen Rest Camp

Orpen Rest Camp is situated centrally on the western border of the Kruger National Park.

It is a small camp that derived its name from the surname of the donor of the land, Eileen Orpen. The scattered trees and wide-open plains covered by sweet grass attract many browsers. This in turn, attracts the eye-catching cheetah, lion and leopard. Well known for its diversity of habitat and wildlife, Orpen offers visitors an excellent opportunity to experience close encounters with elephant, rhino, buffalo, lion and leopard in a natural environment. Wild dog, cheetah, zebra and giraffe are also indigenous to this area, a paradise for the wildlife enthusiast.

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Activities

  • Guided Bush Walks
  • Game Drives (in the company of trained field guides)
  • Timbavati Picnic Site (located about 55km outside the camp)
  • Ratel Pan Bird Hide (located about 58km outside the camp)

See the Park’s Activities for a comprehensive list.

Facilities

  • Information at Reception
  • Public Telephone
  • Post Box
  • Shop
  • No ATM facility available
  • Laundromat
  • Filling Station
  • Communal Kitchens
  • Communal Ablutions
  • Swimming Pool
  • Cutlery and Plates Hampers (from Reception)
  • Basic First Aid Assistance
  • Day Visitors Picnic Area in camp
  • Cellphone reception
  • Please note there is no restaurant.

See the Park’s Facilities for a comprehensive list.

Day Visitors

Orpen has a designated day visitor area where day visitors and visitors from other camps can braai (barbecue) and picnic. There are also picnic sites at Muzandzeni and Nhlanguleni southwest of the camp, and at Timbavati northeast of the camp, along the river of the same name. There is a shop*, which caters for Tamboti and Marula visitors.

Filling Stations

There is a filling station at Orpen which only accepts petro cards (garage cards) and cash for filling fuel.

Travel Information

Routes and times are from central Gauteng.

By Air

The closest airport to Orpen is Eastgate Airport that is situated in Hoedspruit. The airport is approximately 68km from Orpen Gate.

By Road: Orpen Gate

Head toward Nelspruit on the N4 and take the R540 Belfast turn off. At Lydenburg turn left onto the R36 heading north. 30 km before Hoedspruit turn right onto the R531 and head to the gate. Allow between 4 to 5 hours for the trip to the gate. Orpen camp is right at the gate.

Flora & Fauna

See the Fauna & Flora pages of the Park for more information.

Mammals

The surrounding area offers excellent opportunities for game viewing. On the drive from Orpen to Satara herds of zebra and wildebeest graze next to the road, while giraffe, impala, warthog and elephant are common.

Turning off from this road to the Timbavati river northwards through pleasant scenery to Olifants camp, lion, cheetah and leopard are likely to be seen.

Vegetation

Standing in the dry open plains of the central area, it is permeated with the unhurried restfulness so characteristic of the bushveld. In camp, tall acacias and marula trees share the grounds with red bush willows, while small rock gardens overgrown with aloes and Barberton daisies separate the huts.

5 Things To Seek

  1. Lion
  2. Black-backed Jackal
  3. Blue Wildebeest
  4. White-backed Vulture
  5. Lesser Black-winged Plover

Contact

  • Telephone: +27 (0)13 735 6355
  • Fax: +27 (0)13 735 6359

See Camp Contacts for more information.

Maps